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As you’ll see in this Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition review, this family hauler has a little of everything, but is different than most other three-row crossovers.
Volkswagen isn’t the first brand that typically comes to mind when you think about buying a midsize SUV, but it is an interesting three-row SUV that could be right for some drivers. Creating an Atlas vs Highlander comparison might not unearth the qualities you desire in the VW model, but it could give you the information you need to choose to go with the Atlas or to leave it for something a little more traditional.
A Peak Edition review shows the oddity of the Atlas
This three-row SUV has room for the whole family and rugged styling, but touch controls and missing features might frustrate drivers used to more practical rivals. If you don’t mind a vehicle with a few lovable quirks, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas could be a great choice for you. Of course, when making a family SUV comparison with other models in its class, things might feel a little different, especially when you see some SUVs that aren’t as different as the Atlas. Let’s dig in and see what the Peak Edition brings to the table.
Updates make the styling a bit more subjective
The Volkswagen Atlas has been around since 2017, which might shock most drivers that it’s nearly a decade old. This VW SUV rides on an updated version of the MQB platform, which is shared with the Atlas Cross Sport, Audi A3, and VW Golf hatchback. This makes the platform extremely versatile, but maybe not right for a three-row midsize crossover.
Still, the Atlas has had two updates, and the most recent styling change gives it more prominent Daytime Running Lights and a full-width LED light bar on higher trims. There’s also an LED taillight bar on the rear. The updated style makes it less sleek than before, but if you want your SUV to be a little more rugged, the Atlas has you covered.
Going inside for the Peak Edition review
The cabin area of the VW Atlas Peak Edition shows off with orange accent stitching, which is a signature element of this trim. This stitching reminds you that the Atlas is meant for some light off-roading pleasure. Other items you’ll find in the cabin include a 12-inch infotainment screen and a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit gauge cluster. These screens give the Atlas the futuristic control and feel that you want in a modern SUV.
Power where you want it
There’s only one engine offered for the VW Atlas. Across all trims, this SUV uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This engine mates with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to all four wheels in most trims. If you opt for the base SE model, you will have FWD as the standard setup and will have to pay more for AWD if you want it.
A few VW Atlas problems to watch for
Although most automakers learned that drivers don’t want to control HAVC and audio volume settings with the touchscreen, Volkswagen didn’t get the memo. You can easily connect your phone to the infotainment system, but adjusting climate controls or the audio volume means using the menus and screens, which can be distracting while driving. Additionally, the sunroof requires the swipe of a finger to open it, which is strange. VW needs to give drivers back their physical buttons and knobs, but that could also simply be part of the quirkiness of this three-row midsize crossover.
The VW Atlas Peak Edition review reveals plenty of room
Like most three-row midsize crossovers, the VW Atlas has plenty of space in the first two rows for five people to ride together. You can easily fit child seats behind the front row, and kids will have space for their legs to swing. The third row is a different story, but that’s consistent for the class. Still, the versatility of a third-row seat that can be used for short-term passengers or cargo is valuable and can be a great feature in this SUV.
Overall, the Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition review shows this to be a good crossover with plenty to offer a family. You can fit in it, it can go on some light trails, and it’s a ruggedly stylish SUV. The user interface controls could be much better, and redundant knobs and buttons would make things much easier, but overall, the Atlas fits the bill as a contender in the midsize three-row crossover SUV class.
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